Apple raises prices for services, Germany affected

Apple has announced price increases for several of its services in Germany and other regions, affecting both individual and family subscriptions to Apple Music and iCloud+. The changes were confirmed through official pricing updates and reports from multiple sources, with some users noting discrepancies in the displayed prices during sign-ups. The price adjustments took effect starting July 20, 2026, with the cost of the individual Apple Music subscription rising from €10.99 to €11.99 per month. Family plans, which cover up to six members, saw a more substantial increase, moving from €16.99 to €19.99. The student plan, previously priced at €5.99, was raised to €6.99. For those opting for the annual Apple Music subscription, the price climbed from €109 to €119. Some users have reported that the old price still appears during the initial stages of signing up, suggesting possible delays in the update process. Notably, Apple did not raise the price for its bundled Apple One service, which includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+ with 50GB storage. The monthly fee for individuals remains at €19.95, while families pay €25.95 for 200GB of iCloud+ storage. A premium package offering additional features such as Fitness+ and 2TB of storage costs €34.95 per month for individuals. These unchanged rates provide a degree of stability amid the broader price hikes. In parallel, Apple began increasing the prices for iCloud+ storage packages in eight countries, including Turkey, New Zealand, Egypt, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Nigeria. The price increases ranged from 11% to 55%, with Apple citing currency adjustments as a potential reason. Prices in euros and the United States remained unaffected. There are indications that these hikes could be linked to increased demand for cloud storage, particularly in light of ongoing server hardware shortages, though Apple typically does not disclose the reasons behind such decisions. According to information shared with 9to5Mac, the rise in Apple Music prices is attributed to “increased licensing costs.” This aligns with broader industry trends where streaming platforms face higher expenses due to content acquisition and distribution. Unlike Spotify, which offers a free tier with ads, Apple Music continues to operate without a freemium model, relying solely on paid subscriptions. In the United States, Apple also adjusted the prices for Apple One family and premium plans, each increasing by $2. These changes reflect a strategic move to align pricing with inflationary pressures and operational costs, even as the company maintains a consistent pricing structure in Europe. Users in affected regions are advised to review their current subscriptions and consider whether the new pricing models meet their needs. As the market evolves, further adjustments to service pricing remain a possibility.